Pulmonary Medicine
Specialized care to help you breathe easy.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious disorder where throat muscles relax excessively during sleep, causing repeated airway collapse, snoring, and pauses in breathing. It reduces blood oxygen, leading to daytime fatigue, morning headaches, and high blood pressure. Key risk factors include obesity, anatomical airway issues, and, more commonly, middle-aged males. Treatments include CPAP machines, oral appliances, and lifestyle changes.
Key Aspects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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- Causes & Risk Factors: The primary cause is the collapse of soft tissue in the upper airway, often driven by obesity, large tonsils/adenoids, or structural jaw issues. Risk factors include being male, being middle-aged or older, smoking, and alcohol use.
- Symptoms: Common signs include loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, witnessed pauses in breathing, morning headaches, dry mouth, and severe daytime sleepiness.
- Impact on Daily Life: It causes fragmented, non-restorative sleep, resulting in fatigue, memory problems, inability to concentrate, irritability, and a higher risk of accidents due to drowsy driving.
- Health Consequences: If untreated, OSA can lead to serious conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression.
- Treatments:
- CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) Machines: Uses air pressure to keep the throat open.
- Oral Appliances: Devices to hold the jaw in a position that keeps the airway open (by referral only).
- Lifestyle Modifications: Weight loss, avoiding alcohol, and positional therapy (e.g., avoiding sleeping on the back).
- Surgery: Procedures to remove excess tissue or fix anatomical issues (by referral only).
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is typically confirmed through a sleep study (polysomnography) to monitor breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate during sleep.
Diagnosis is typically confirmed through a sleep study (polysomnography) to monitor breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate during sleep.
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Providers in this Specialty
View Profile of Susan Cucciardi, PA-C
Susan Cucciardi, PA-C
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